Folding table



Nov. 9, 1937. K. G. JOHANSON 2,098,826

FOLDING TABLE Filed Jan. 14, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M I INVENTORY.

iqA/a Nov. 9, 1937. I JOHANSON 2,098,826

FOLDING TABLE Filed Jan. 14, 1937 2 Shets-Sheet 2 @ZW I Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING TABLE Karl G. Johanson,.West Concord, Mass. Application January 14, 1937, Serial No. 120,623

2 Claims.

This invention relates to folding tables of the cross-legged type, such as those shown in my prior Patents Nos. 1,942,603 and 1,990,032. It aims to improve articles of this character with a view to simplifying their construction while still retaining the advantages of these light weight folding tables. It is a particularly important object of the invention to eliminate the inclined braces which have been used in the constructions shown in my aforesaid patents.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a side elevation of a table embodying the present invention, illustrating the table in its unfolded or operative position;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the table when folded and looking at it from the opposite side from'which Fig. 1 is viewed; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the table in its position shown in Fig. 1, but looking upwardly under the top of the table.

The construction shown comprises a top 5 mounted on two pairs of cross-legs indicated at 3-3 and 3'3. The two legs with their feet located at the rear of Fig. 3 are pivoted at l and I, respectively, to ears 4 and 4 which are secured rigidly to the table top 5. The other two legs 3 and 3 are not connected directly to said top but are pivoted on the ends "5 and I6, respectively, of a tie rod 9 which is mounted to rock in two or more brackets 2 secured to the bottom of the table top. Thus the upper ends of these two legs can swing about the axis of the central portion of the tie rod 9 simultaneously with the swinging movement of the other two legs 3 and 3 on the axis common to the pivots l and l. During this swinging movement to fold or extend the table, the two individuals of each pair of legs swing on a transverse axis extending through the pivots 8 and 8, which connect the individuals of each pair of legs 3 and 3, respectively, to each other and also connects both pairs pivotally to the opposite ends of a member 6 which will herein be designated as a post. This post is additionally connected to two of the legs by means of a spring brace 1, pivoted centrally to the upright middle portion of the post at l0 and having one end pivotally connected by the bolt l to the upper end of one of the legs 3', while the opposite end of the brace is pivotally connected at [6 to the upper end of the diagonally opposite leg 3.

When the table is moved from its extended position, as shown in Fig. 3, into its folded position, the pivots l6 and 16 are brought into alinement, respectively, with the two pivots l and I, all four pivots at this time lying in the same axial line. During this movement the pivots l6 and I' rise with reference to the pivot l0, and such a change in the relative positions of these pivots is permitted by the flexibility of the brace l, the twisted portions l3-I3 facilitating this action. When the opposite movement takes place the brace flattens to some degree and assumes a diagonal position where the relatively short reach between its central pivot 10 and its two ends materially stiflens the table against any racking movement.

The table may be locked in its extended position by the latch l I, as in my prior constructions.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. In a folding table having two pairs of crossed legs, the legs of one pair being pivoted to the other pair on a transverse axis intermediate their ends, a center-post pivotally connected to said pairs of legs on said axis, a flexible brace pivotally connected at its center to the middle of said center-post, one end of said brace being pivoted to a leg of one pair at one side of the table, and the other end of said brace being pivoted to a leg of the other pair at the other side of the table.

2. In a folding table having two pairs. of crossed legs, the legs of one pair being pivoted to the other pair on a transverse axis intermediate their ends, a center-post pivotally connected to said pairs of legs on said axis, a resilient brace pivotally connected at its center to the top of said center-post, one end of said brace being pivoted to the upper end of a leg of one pair at one side of the table, and the other end of said brace being pivoted to the upper end of a leg of the other pair at the other side of the table.

KARL G. JOHANS'ON. 

